Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

John Waters

Role / Field:

Pioneering filmmaker known for transgressive, cult comedy and post-modern surrealism.

Born:

1946-04-22

Century / Era:

1946s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

John Samuel Waters Jr. (born April 22, 1946) is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and artist. He rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films, including Multiple Maniacs (1970), Pink Flamingos (1972), and Female Trouble (1974). Waters wrote and directed the comedy film Hairspray (1988), which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and a 2007 musical film.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His other films include Desperate Living (1977), Polyester (1981), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998), and Cecil B. Demented (2000), each containing elements of post-modern comedy and surrealism. As an actor, Waters has appeared in the films Sweet and Lowdown (1999), Mangus! (2011), Excision (2012), and Suburban Gothic (2014), as well as the Child's Play franchise with the film Seed of Chucky (2004) and the third season of the television series Chucky (2024). He hosted and produced the television series John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You (2006).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Waters also works as a visual artist and across different media, such as installations, photography, and sculpture. He was twice nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, narrating his audiobooks Carsick (2015) and...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Michnik — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Prominent Polish intellectual, dissident, and journalist advocating for democracy.
• Ahmed Zewail — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Pioneering chemist, acclaimed as the 'father of femtochemistry'.
• Akira Kamiya — Contemporary (Born in 1946) (1946): Veteran Japanese voice actor known for roles in anime like Kenshiro and Kogoro Mori.
• Aaron Spelling — Shared historical date (04-22 · Born) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Alan Bond — Shared historical date (04-22 · Born) (1938): Australian businessman known for high-profile dealings, the America's Cup, and founding Bond University.
• Al Green — Historical peer (Born in 1946) (1946): Iconic American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor celebrated for his timeless vocal artistry.
• Alan Rickman — Historical peer (Born in 1946) (1946): Iconic English actor celebrated for his distinctive voice and powerful stage presence.
• Abraham Maslow — Historical peer (Died in 1970) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Alan Shearer — Historical peer (Born in 1970) (1970): English football legend, record goalscorer, and respected pundit.
• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Historical peer (Died in 1972) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• 1946 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1946
• April 22 (04-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 22

Frequently Asked Questions about John Waters